PM announces first Zone of Special Operations

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared a Zone of Special Operations in Mount Salem, St James.

Holness made the announcement today.

"We can no longer allow any area to provide any safe haven for criminal," said Holness. He pledged that the government will be moving be taking back Jamaica from the criminals "square inch by square inch".

"We will make Jamaica safe again," he said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Clifford Blake said that the area is plagued by rampant criminality.

He said that 46 murders were committed there in 2014, another 70 in 2015, 85 last year and 55 this year.

Blake said the Crawford Street area of the community has recorded 16 murders.

He said that 12 major gangs are operating in Mount Salem and the security forces aim is to "disrupt and dismantle the gangs which are spreading their influence across St James".